Welcome to "Ask the State Department." This online interactive forum allows you to interact with Secretary Rice and other State Department officials. When a chat is announced, questions submitted online will be answered by State Department officials and posted to the website so that others may also benefit from the discussion.

Launched in January 2006, citizens are able to participate in online discussions with Senior State Department Officials, field officers around the world, behind-the-scenes professionals at the Department of State and others.

Transcripts of upcoming and previous online discussions are available below. When scheduled, a notice of the next chat will be posted on the Department of State home page.

07/10/2007

Freedom AgendaJeffrey Krilla, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, discusses the President's Freedom Agenda, and the role the United States plays in supporting local voices for freedom and human rights around the world.View Transcript

Nuclear Terrorism, and the President's Newly Launched Initiative to Combat ItRobert Joseph, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, to answered questions about nuclear terrorism, and the President's newly launched initiative to combat it. View Transcript

Robert Joseph, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International SecurityBiography

07/13/2006

U.S. Efforts To Prevent Avian and Pandemic FluDr. Daniel Singer answered questions on U.S. efforts to coordinate with other nations on preparedness, prevention, and containment of Avian and Pandemic Flu.View Transcript

Iranian Nuclear Program and Other Foreign Policy IssuesTom Casey, Director, Office of Press Relations, Bureau of Public Affairs, led an online discussion regarding Iran's nuclear program and other U.S. foreign policy issues. View Transcript

President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS ReliefDr. Mark Dybul discussed the progress of President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the largest international health initiative any nation ever has undertaken directed at a single disease. The event took place Thursday, April 13 at 4:00 PM. View Transcript

Dr. Mark Dybul, U.S. Deputy Global AIDS Coordinator

04/06/2006

The 2006 Foreign Service Written Exam and How to Become a Foreign Service SpecialistU.S. Department of State recruiter Buddy Williams discussed preparations for the 2006 Foreign Service Written Exam and how to become a Foreign Service Specialist and how these nineteen career professionals play a vital role in U.S. Diplomacy. View Transcript

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)Anne W. Patterson, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, discussed the current worldwide state of affairs related to drug control, money laundering and financial crimes, as reported in the 2006 INCSR. View Transcript

Liberia, Democracy and Prosperity in Africa, and President Bush's Strategy for Global Peace and Security
Jendayi E. Frazer, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs discussed what events in Liberia mean to the advancement of democracy and prosperity in Africa and how they are tied to President Bush's strategy for global peace and security. View Transcript

Challenges to the Global Nonproliferation Regime: The Case of IranStephen G. Rademaker, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation discussed global nonproliferation issues in terms of the current situation in Iran. View Transcript

The Way Forward in Iraq: An Integrated Political-Military-Economic StrategyJames Jeffrey, Senior Advisor to Secretary Rice and Coordinator for Iraq Policy discussed the multi-faceted strategy necessary for progress in Iraq. View Transcript

James Jeffrey, Senior Advisor to Secretary Rice and Coordinator for Iraq Policy Biography

01/19/2006

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Discuss Travel to the U.S. -- Advancements in Security and TechnologyMaura Harty, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs discussed facilitating travel for visitors to the United States. Recent advancements in technology and staffing have enhanced the security and efficiency of processes associated with traveling to the United States. View Transcript